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Credit Lock Plus is a powerful way to prevent identity thieves from accessing your TransUnion and Equifax credit reports. Learn more about how easy it is to protect your reports with Credit Lock Plus.

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A credit report is your financial dossier. It is a record of your credit history that lenders use to determine your creditworthiness. Learn more about credit reporting, explore article archives, and educate yourself about this essential component of your financial health.

Credit Score

Educate yourself about what impacts your credit scores. Understand how your credit score plays a crucial role in major life decisions, from auto financing to buying a new home. Click here to explore our article archive.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious crime. Learn more about how to protect your personal information. Find easy tips for preventing identify theft, from locking your credit report to setting up better passwords.

Credit Monitoring

Learn more about the importance of credit monitoring. With credit monitoring you can spot identity theft, correct inaccuracies and receive alerts when changes are made to your report. Keep yourself informed. Read more about how credit monitoring can contribute to your financial health.

Debt and Money Management

Develop the management skills to create and maintain your financial health. Read more about simple ways you can take control of your finances. Useful tips for making a budget, reducing your debt and building a brighter financial future.

Credit Bureaus

You have three different credit reports, one for each of the three credit bureaus—TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Information varies from bureau to bureau, so it’s important to monitor all three of your reports. Click here to learn more.

Annual Credit Report

You can order your annual credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax) online at AnnualCreditReport.com. Click here to learn more about how to interpret your credit reports.

Mortgage

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, second-mortgage seeker or refinancer, financing a home may be the most important investment you make. Learn more about one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

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Learn more about the different types of credit cards and how they can help you establish better credit for the future. Read more about how credit cards affect your credit rating. With our Featured Offers, find the card that best fits your lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Credit Questions

Staying on top of your finances requires educating yourself on various credit situations.
Get the answers to commonly asked questions about managing your credit.

If you need quick assistance with a task relating to your credit report, you are in the right place. This is your hub where you can place a credit freeze, dispute, fraud alert or request your credit report. Click to find out more and check out our most frequently asked credit questions.

Get Your Free Annual Credit Report

You can order your annual credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax) online at AnnualCreditReport.com. Click here to learn more about how to interpret your credit reports.

Disputes

Learn how to dispute inaccurate and fraudulent information on your credit report. TransUnion offers the easiest and fastest way to resolve any and all inaccuracies on your record. Click here to file your dispute now.

Credit Freeze

If you are concerned about becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, a Credit Freeze might be right for you. Learn more about placing a freeze on your credit report to prevent lenders from accessing your TransUnion credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit.

Credit Disclosures

Under the FACT Act amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you are entitled to one free annual credit report from each of the three major credit reporting companies per year. Click here to see if you qualify for additional free or reduced fare credit reports.

Fraud Alerts

If you suspect you have been the victim of fraud, TransUnion makes it easy to send alerts to your creditors and the other credit bureaus. Click here to learn more about protecting yourself by sending out alerts now.

Fraud Victims Resources

We know how hard it is to be the victim of fraud. TransUnion makes it easier for you to handle the situation by placing fraud alerts and providing a list of institutions you will need to contact to clear your name, as well as other important resources. Click here to learn more.

Leasing or Buying a Car: What You Need to Know

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It is important to understand how leasing or buying a new car will impact your finances such as your monthly budget, debt ratios and credit score. Most drivers are so excited about buying a new car, they don't realize how it impacts their finances. Understanding how leasing or buying a car affects your monthly budget, debt ratios and credit score can help you make the right financial choices. When you buy a car, you might pay for it with savings, borrowed money or a combination of both. You might consider making as much of a down payment as possible to keep your loan amount down. The less money borrowed, the less total interest you'll have to pay.

Leases, loans and your credit

Getting a car lease or car loan may be your first credit experience. It's important to know that making your car payments in full and on time helps establish a good credit history. Car leases or loans are liabilities, and your payments are included in monthly debt ratios. If you apply for a mortgage, student loan, or credit card while making car payments, you may qualify for a lower amount than if you didn't have them.

Leasing and depreciation

When leasing a vehicle, you pay for the reduction in the car's value that happens during the time you're using it. When the term is over, you don't own the vehicle, but you'll usually have the option to buy it at an agreed-upon price.

How leasing affects your net worth

One of the financial differences between buying a car and leasing one is how it affects your financial net worth. Your net worth is the total of your assets, or things you own, minus any debts owed, which are your liabilities. When you purchase a vehicle, it becomes an asset and you own it, though a finance company may have an interest in it if you have a loan.

Because ownership of a leased car doesn't pass to you, it isn't your asset. Lease payments are, however, a monthly expense or liability. When you lease a car, your liabilities increase but your assets don't, so your net worth decreases.

On the other hand, monthly car loan obligations can be more expensive than leases because you pay for the entire cost of the car instead of the "use" value.

Other monthly car costs

Whether you're leasing or buying a car, think about the ongoing costs. Gas, car insurance premiums, regular maintenance and repairs add up over time. When you own a car, you pay for these expenses on your own, except for repairs that are covered under warranty. Standard maintenance and repairs can be covered under a lease agreement, resulting in lower costs for people who lease.

Mileage and other costs on car leases

A car lease agreement usually includes a restriction on annual mileage. If you drive more than the prearranged annual mileage, expect to be charged for the additional mileage when your lease ends. If you buy out the lease, you may be able to avoid the extra mileage charge. Also, read the fine print on your leasing agreement for any other costs that may be incurred when you start or end the lease.

Think carefully before investing in a new car. Compare the pros and cons of leasing and buying, and ask lots of questions before signing any paperwork.

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